New parts for Williams in quest for race pace

Mark Scott
George Russell Williams

George Russell thinks Williams can overhaul Haas and Alfa Romeo in 2021.

Williams head to the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nurburgring still searching for answers over their race pace on Sundays.

The Grove-based team are yet to score their first World Championship of the 2020 season, but they are at least closer to the back of the midfield pack compared to their dismal 2019 campaign.

Williams’ biggest source of optimism has been in qualifying, with George Russell making six Q2 appearances so far this season and team-mate Nicholas Latifi also making into Q2 on one occasion.

But the team still cannot translate the good qualifying pace into good race pace.

However, in the upcoming Friday practice ahead of the Eifel Grand Prix, Williams have “a few items” to test out which they hope will help provide the answer.

“At the last race in Russia, we continued our good progress in qualifying with George again reaching Q2,” Dave Robson, head of vehicle performance at Williams, said.

“However, our race performance was a little disappointing and we need to understand how we can do a better job on Sunday.

“We have spent a lot of time reviewing the data from Russia and as a result we have a few items to look at this Friday, which we think will help our overall weekend performance.”

George Russell
George Russell PA

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Robson, like many others, has at least one eye on the skies at the Nurburgring.

“The circuit, set in the Eifel Mountains, offers an interesting mix of corner types, and although none of the straights are especially long, they are numerous.

“We are looking forward to visiting another ‘new’ venue having enjoyed a good weekend in Mugello.

“Holding the Grand Prix in early October means that the weather could be a major contributor to how the weekend unfolds.

“It is likely to be cold and windy with a reasonable chance of rain. Pirelli are bringing their middle range of compounds and understanding how these will work if the conditions are cold will be our first objective.”

Russell also mentioned the weather conditions in his preview quotes and he hopes they will provide him and Williams with an opportunity to pounce.

“I am really excited to go to the Nürburgring,” he said.

“The last time I drove there was five years ago, and it was one of my favourite circuits as it has a lot of character.

“It is going to be a new challenge for everybody, which gives opportunity and with these very cold and potentially rainy conditions on the horizon we have a lot to look forward to.”

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